Side frame and spring structure



De :.*.24, 1929. E. w. WEBB 1,740,912

SIDE FRAME `AND SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Aus.- 5.. 1927 4 sheets-sheet l DEC. 24, 1929.

` E. w.'wEBB sIDE FRAME AND SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 5, 1927 4 Sheet s-Shee?I 2 www VWM

\ MNT lan n fw

Dec. A24, 1929. E. w. WEBB SIDE; FRAME AND SPRING STRUCTUR;

Filed Aug, 5. 19.27 4 sheets-sheet -3 De@ 249-3929. E. w.\ waas 1,740,912A

SIDE FRAME' AND SPRING STRUCTURE Patented Dec. 24, 1929 ATENT oFElcE EDWIN W. WEBB, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD CAR TRUCK COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SIDE FRAME lAND SPRING STRUCTURE Application led August 5, 1927. Serial No. 210,817.

This invention relates to a car truck structure, and while the truck is applicable to various kinds of railway cars, it, particularly, is designed for a freight car truck, and one using a cast steel side frame.

In the use of the cast steel side frames now being used for such trucks it is desirable to have the heavier load carrying portions .of the side frame in the line of stress. Such side frames have spaced bolster columns with a spring opening between and below the column faces and a problem is presented to secure the proper strength in the side frame and at the same time accommodate the necessary bolster and car body supporting springs in compact relation. Some side frames which are now being used have provided gussets extending into the spring opening which has caused the rearrangement of the springs and special lateral motion devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a car truck comprising a side frame having 'its load carrying sections disposed substantially in the line of stress of the tension meml ber and so disposed that a compact arrangement of springs is possible in the spring openm0'.

t is another object of the invention to provide a car truck having a side frame with reinforcing ribs or sections at the sides of the tension member disposed at the outer sides of the frame so that the spring opening is unobstructed, saidA frame preferably having the lower column portions of channel shape with the channels directed inwardly whereby the end springs can be housed in the recesses' of channels of the columns.

It is another object of the invention to provide a car truck comprising a side frame, the top member of which, between the bolster columns, is deeper in the center than at the ends whereby more room is afforded for the .bolster guides and a greater bearing surface of the bolster on the columns can be had without decreasing the strength thereof.

It is still further an object ofthe invention to provide a truck structure having a side frame with spaced bolster columns of channel shape in cross-section and having end springs disposed' in said channel, together with a roller bearing plate extending over said springs and having semi-circular lugs projecting into said channels to be disposed over the springs therein, said bearing plate having column guides at the sides of the column.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a truckstructure comprising a side frame having spaced bolster colunms of channel shape in cross section, a spring plank extending transversely between said columns and resting on -the bottom member of the side frame, said spring plank having lateral extensions projecting into the channels of said columns adapted to support the end springs.

It is also an o bject of the invention to provide a car truck as set forth in the preceding paragraph, in which said end s rings project over the edge of the spring pla ported partially directly on a step in the side frame.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like characters refer to the same parts throughout the diierent views, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the central portion of a truck;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the side frame;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5 5 of Fi 4, as indicated by the arrows;

1Fig. 6 is a. p an view of the spring bearing p ate;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the lin 7 7 of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows; an t Fig. 8 is a plan view of one end of the sprin plank.

Re erring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3, a truck structure is shown comprising a side frame 10 having a tension member 10, a to or compression member 10" and thespace bolster columns 10c. The

side frame illustrated is of the cast type.

and are supv the strong part of the side frame disposed ysubstantially in the line of stress of the tension member and for this purpose, ribs or gussets 10d are provided pro]ect1ng outwardly at each side of the side frames, these ribs having their greatest width, as clearly shown in 2, at the upper surface of the bottom" member 10a at the bottom of the spring opening. lVith the construction shown, it will be seen that a flat surface is secured at the bottom of the spring-receiving opening in which is disposed the end of the spring plank 11 which extends between the side frames of the truck. This member 11 is of flat plate form having the flanges 11 extending upwardly at the sides thereof, said member having laterally extending portions 11b shown as substantially trapezoidal in form, which extend into the channels at each endof the spring opening, said channels being formed lin the bolster sections. Flanges 11, as shown in Fig. 3, are taperedand discontinued at" one side of the portions 11b. A?, springbearing plate 12 of thin sheet steel over-lies the spring plank 11 having downwardly extendy ing locating points 12a adapted to be' received.

" guides 15b atthe sides of thesame columnin suitable recesses in the top of the spring plank. The plate 12 has frusto-conical projections 12" struck up therefrom which are disposed centrally of the springs 13 which rest on said plate. These parts are similar to those shown in Figs. 6 and 7, to be later described. It will be seen that, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated'in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, seven springs are used, theend springs of which are disposed largelywith.- in the channels of the bolster columns. These end springs rest almost wholly on the 'projectin flanges 11b ofthe spring plank 11 but exten partially over a step 10e formed in the side frame. The springs 13lar'e thus disposed at `one level and these springs may have smaller springs 14 disposed therewithin, if desired, as shown in Fig. 3. The springs 13 and 14 are surmounted by the roller bearing plate 15, which plate has a downwardly extending flange 15a at its sides extending along the outer sides of the two outer springs at cachside, respectively. The plate 15 extends between the bolster columns and column guides 15b disposed at each side of each column, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.. The plate 15 has a heavy reinforced sectiony or rib 15c extending -between thecolumn and has a semi-circular projectinglug 15d proiectmg into the channel or vhay of the column and over the end springs 13-and 14.

The plate '15 also has parallel concave grooves of special contour 15 on its upper` surface extending between the sections or ribs 15 1n which are disposed the roller bearings 16 which support the truck bolster 17 which also has parallel concave grooves of special contour 17 in its undersurface in which the rollers 16 are disposed.. The bolster 17 has column guides or stop portions 17 b at each side adapted to engage the side faces of the bolster columns and also has faces or surfaces 17c for engaging the column faces. The surfaces 17 are extended on lugs projecting above the' top of the bolster as shown at 17 i and also extend downwardly, as shown, at 17". The projections 17La and 17 d give additional bearing surface and wearing surface on the bolster. To accommodate the projection 17d in the assembling of the truck, the recesses 10h are provided in the side frame adjacentthe upper ends of the bolster columns and t strengthen the side frame the same is curved downwardly at the bottom of the top or compression member 10, as shown at 10, a rib 10g extending along each side of the top member 10b across the opening between the bolster columns and around the recesses `1()d to the bolster column faces.

y In operation, the weight of the car body will be carried on the bolster 17 and will be transmitted through the rollers 16 to ythe plate 15 and will be equally distributed over all of the springs 13 and 14 by the plate 15. Said springs are compactly and nicely housed in the spring opening and are all disposed at oneheight. `The standard bearing plate can thus be used and no offsets or recesses are necessary therein. The bolster 17 is capable of cndwise movement transversely of the side frame on the rollers 16. A very simple, compact and convenient arrangement of the springs is thus obtained and, at the same time, the reinforcing parts of the side frame are disposed substantially in the line of stress.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 to 8, a somewhat modiied form of truck is shown comprising a side frame 20 having the top or compression member 20a, the bottom or tension member 20b and the spaced bolster co1- umns 20. The tension member 20b is a box section and has a heavy reinforcing rib or gusset 20d extending upwardly in an inclined direction from the bottom lof the spring seat opening, this rib extending horizontally along the bottom of the spring receiving opening. rl'he columns 20c are of channel section with the channels directed inwardly, as clearly'shown in Fig. 5, and have the ribs 20" below the guide faces thereof. A spring plank 21 is provided which will extend bey tween the side frames of the truck, said plank having upwardly extending flanges 21'* at each side and the same havin@r lateral projections 21b shown as substantially trapezoij received in similar recesses in said plank and having upwardly projecting frustoconical portions 22b1adapted to center and extend within the springs '23 and 24 which rest on the'plate v22. As shown in Fig. 5, seven springs 23 -are'used which may have disposed therein, if desired, the smaller springs 24. The use of the springs 24 will depend upon the load the t r}1ck,i-sdesigned to carry. It will be seen that the end springs 23 project from 'the ends of the projections 21b of the spring plank 2l and are supported partially uponste s 20t of the side frame. The springs 23 an 24 are surmounted and engaged by a roller bearing plate or spring cap 25 extending between the bolster columns and having column guides 25a projecting beyond the face of the columns and disposed at each side thereof. The plate 251has downwardly extending iianges 25.b at each side which extend from the column guide 25a at o ne side to the column guide 25a at the opposite bolster column and said plate has a heavy reinforcing section or rib 25c extending between the column guides 25a of the saine column and extending closely adjacent the column face. Said plates also have projecting semi-circular end lugs 25d extendin into the channels of the column 20c and over t e end springs23. Said plates have spaced parallel roller grooves 25e extendingl between the ribs 25 in which are disposed the bolster supporting rollers 26 on which the bolster 27 rests. Said bolster, like the bolster`17 already described, has spaced parallel roller seats or 'grooves 27 a in its bottom surface in which the rollers 26 are disposed. 'lhe bolster 27 has the column guides or stop portions 27 b at each side of the bolster column for engagingthe side faces thereof and has bearing faces 27 c engaging the faces of the bolster columns, said surfaces- 27c being exten'ded at the top on vthe lugs 27d and at the bottom on the lugs 27e. To accommodate the lugs 27d in assembling the truc-k, recesses 20g are formed at the upper ends of the bolster column faces and tol strengthen the side frame, the compression member 20a is bowed downwardly at its central portion,

as shown at 20, and a rib 2()i extends 'along` each side of the side frame above the opening between the bolster columns and around the recesses 20g.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 4 to 8 is substantially the same as that already described for the truck shown in Figs. 1 to 3; The bolsterv 27 hasprovision for the usual endwise movement laterally of the side frame and the load is carried on the springs 24 and 23 and equally distributed thereover by the plate 25. -'An-unobstructed spring opening is secured in the side frame whereby t e springs disposed centrally of the bolster columns can project into the channels of the columns and all be disposed at one level; The standard roller plate lateral motion device can thus be used.

From the above'description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple, com-y pact and eiiicient structure of car truck comprising a cast steel frame having its reinorced portions disposed in the true line of stress, particularly in the tension member and in which an unobstructed spring open ing is obtained whereby a compact arrangement of springs can be secured and no special lateral motion devicesare necessary. The device has been amply demonstrated in practice and foundv to be very successful and eili- -cient and the same is being commercially manufactured.

It will, of course, be understood, that changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A car truck having in combination, a side frame comprising spaced bolster columns, a spring-receiving opening between said columns, said columns being of channel shape in cross section at their lower portion with the channels directed inwardly, thus forming recesses therein, said frame having a spring plank base at the bottom of the springreceiving opening disposed at one level and extending into the recesses formed by said columns, a group of four or more springs disposed bctween said bolster columns and additional end springs placed at the ends of said group and disposed within the recesses formed y s aid columns. 2. The structure set forth inclaim 1, said side frame having gussets extending upwardly in an inclined direction from the base of said columns at each side of said frame and disposed substantially in a true line of stress in the tension member of said side' frame. l

3. A car truck having in combination, a cast side frame comprising spaced bolster columns, said columns being channel shape in cross section at their lower portions, said frame having laterally projecting gussets at the sides thereof extending horizontally along the bottom of the opening between said columns and upwardly in inclined directions at substantially the base of said columns, said frame having a horizontal bottom in-said opening extending into the recesses formed by said channel shaped columns, and a spring plank extending transversely through said in I/ posed at the ends of said group within thel recesses formed by said columns, said latter springs being supported partially on a step said side frame.

tion, a side frame having spaced bolster columns forming a bolster opening therebetween, a bolsterprojecting between said columns, having wearmg surfaces engaging the faces of said columns, said wearing surfaces being extended above the top of said bolster,

said side frame being formed with recesses to accommodate said ,projections and having its top member increased in thickness at its central portion in' proportion to the extension of said wearing surface.

6. A truck structure having in combination, a side frame having spaced bolster columns forming a bolster opening therebetween, a bolster projecting between said columns having wearing surfaces engaging the faces of said columns said bolster having upwardly projecting lugs at its top and at its sides on which said wearing surfaces are continued, said side frame having recesses in its top member to accommodate said lugs, said top member being bowed downwardly at its central portion in the opening between said bolster columns.

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, said side frame having reinforcing ribs at each side of its top member extending across the yopening between' the columns and about said recesses and to the wearing faces of said bol- 'ster column. y

8. Acar truck having in combination a side frame comprising spaced bolster columns having column guides thereon and portions extending vertically downward from said column guides, said frame being of the cast type and having a tension member with laterally projecting ribs extending across its bottom portion and upwardly in inclined directions at its end portions, said frame thus having a bolster and spring receiving opening disposed between said guide portions and tension member, said vertically extending portions meeting said upwardly inclined portions of said tension member, said frame havinga horizontal surface at the bottom of said spring. receiving opening adapted to receive a plurality of springs all supported at one level, said spring receiving opening extending toward the ends of said frame beyond said vertically extending portions and beyond said column guides.

9. A car truck having 1n combination, a side frame comprising spaced bolster eol- 5. A truck structure having in combina- 

